. >>> then, despite some republican calls to pull the plug on chuck hagel's nomination for defense chief, and a slow walk of the nomination of john brennan as cia director, the president stands by his men. he will probably get what he wants. weighing the odds with senator john mccain. >>> and guns and immigration. before bills governing either become law, they first go through the judiciary committees. a conversation with senator judiciary chairman, patrick leahy, about the art of the doable on two of the most contentious issues of our time. >>> plus, five days from the next fiscal cliffhanger on forced spending cuts. >> these cuts don't have to happen. congress can turn them off any time with just a little compromise. >> deal or more hyperbole? we will ask our political package, former governor haley barbour, jackie calmes, of the "new york times." i'm candy crowley. and this is "state of the union." >>> with five days to go until automatic spending cuts kick in, the obama administration is ratcheting up warnings about aircraft carriers that can't make it to the persian gulf and commerc